Table leg attachment



Dec. 19, 1933. R. wm s 1,940,571

' TABLE LEG ATTACHMENT Filed June 1932 INVENTOR W MW Patented Dec. 19, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TABLE LEG ATTACHMENT I Richard, Windgassen, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application June 22, 1932. Serial 1 10,618,595 2 Claims. (01. 45-11) My invention relates to a table leg attachment and important objects thereof are to provide an attaching element of the character described, which will permit the leg to be compactly folded against the underside of the table top, and which will rigidly brace the leg in all directions when the latter is in the supporting position.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of the class stated which is simple in its construction and arrangement, durable and efficient in its use, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture. 7

With the foregoing and other objects in view Twhich will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of con- 'struction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise lembodiment of the invention hereinafter disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:-

Figure l is a fragmentary underside view of a table, embodying the present invention, with the leg in supporting position.v

Figure 2 is a similar view thereof with the leg in the folded position.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a table with the leg in supporting position.

Figure 4 is an inner side view of the connecting clip.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 1 denotes a rectangular table top, which is provided with depending drop or side members 2 extending along and around the entire edge margain along and around the entire edge margin against the under face thereof.

Each leg 3, ofv the table, is attached in its respective corners by a substantially U-shaped connecting clip 4. The latter is provided with a plurality of apertured ears 5 for the passage of screws 6 for fixedly securing the clip in position to the table top 1 and adjacent side members 2.

The upper end of the leg 3 is pivotally connected in the clip 4 by a shaft 7, which is pref- .erably fixed in the side arms 8 of the clip 4. As the clip 4 is open at its inner side and lower end, the pivotal connection of the leg 3 permits the latter to be folded to extend horizontally against the underside of the table top, as shown in Figure 2, and to be extended vertically to the supporting position, shows in Figures 1 and 3.

The side arms 8, of the clip 4, frictionally engage the connected end of the leg 3, and thereby serve to maintain the latter in the folded position.

The feature of the present invention resides in the novel means employed for rigidly bracing the legs 3 when the latter are extended to the supporting positions.

The leg 3 issecured and braced against its folding direction, by a spring bar 9, which has one end fixed by screws 10 to the bottom edge of the associated side member 2, and extends along the latter. The spring bar 9 is provided with a notch 11, which is disposed adjacent to the free endof the former and on the inner edge thereof.

A transversely extending locking plate 12 is fixed to the inner side of the leg 3, and has a projecting end, which engages the underside of the spring bar 9, and tensions the latter when the leg 3 is shifting to the s pporting position. The adjacent side member 2 is formed with a recess 13 to provide clearance in the path oftravel of the projecting end of the locking plate 12 when the leg 3 is shifting to the folding or supporting positions.

When the leg 3 reaches its proper vertical supporting position, the projecting end of the locking bar 12 will automatically snap into and engage in the notch 11 of they spring bar 9. While normally the free end of the spring bar 9 rests flatly against the bottom edge of the associated side member, the relative positions of the locking plate 12 and notch 11 are such, that when locking plate 12 is engaged in the notch 11, the free end of the spring bar 9 will be considerably spaced from the bottom edge of the side member 2, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3. Such arrangement provides a most effective bracing action as it establishes a tensioned push to continuously force the leg 3 to the supporting position. Further, the spacing of the free end of the spring bar 9 when the latter is in the bracing position facilitates the manual release of the spring bar 9 from looking plate 12 when it is desired to shift the leg 3 to its folded position.

To brace the leg 3 against movement in the lateral direction, a stud 14 is fixed in the outer side thereof. When the leg 3 is in the vertical supporting position the stud 14 engages in a socket 15, which is provided therefor in the back wall of the clip 4 and in the adjacent side member 2. When the stud 14 is so engaged in the socket 15 the leg 3 is firmly held against lateral movement or sway in either direction.

If the side members 2 of the table are of considerable width, some material may be saved by constructing the clip 4 to provide an upper section for pivoting the leg 5, and a lower section for carrying the socket 15 receiving the stud 14.

The present invention provides a most efficient table leg attachment, which will entirely eliminate the annoying unsteadiness encountered in card tables and the like of the collapsible types now in common use.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a folding table leg at tachment comprising a clip adapted to be secured to the table structure, a resilient member carried by the latter, a socket formed in said clip, a locking plate fixed to the table leg and engaging said resilient member for bracing the table leg against movement in one direction, and a studfixed' to the table leg and engaging in said socket for bracing the leg against move ment in another direction.

2. In combination, a folding table leg attachment comprising a clip adapted to be secured to the table structure and having the table leg pivotally connected therewith, a spring bar having one end thereof fixed to the table structure and being provided with a notch disposed adjacent to its free end, a locking plate fixed to the table leg for engaging in said notch to brace the table leg against movement in its folding direction, said clip being provided with a socket, and a stud fixed to the table leg for engaging in said socket to brace the leg against movement in the lateral direction.

RICHARD WINDGASSEN. 

